Ethiopia ahead of MDGs in potable water: Minister

Addis Ababa, May 26 (WIC) -Ministry of Water and Energy said Ethiopia’s potable water coverage which was only 19 percent before two decades is enhanced to 73 percent.

Minister of Water and Energy, Alemayehu Tegenu, in a press conference he gave on Friday in connection with the victory of May 28 said the potable water coverage has gone beyond the expected 70 percent in Millennium Development Goals.

He attributed this to the coalition work undertaken in all the regions and city administrations. The goal to achieve accessibility of potable water in rural areas within 1.5km has become possible with coordinated effort from the society, government and non-governmental organizations, he said.

Land utilized by irrigation was only 62 thousand hectares two decades ago and this has been advanced to 160 thousand hectares now, he stated.

The Minister mentioned various activities undertaken in the energy sector to satisfy the ever increasing domestic demand due to industrialization and energy market in neighboring countries.

Alemayehu said the diversification of energy sources to wind, geothermal and solar from just hydropower has been successful.

According to ERTRA, a recent study indicated that Ethiopia has a potential to generate up to one million megawatt from wind.

He said over one million hectares of land is being used to produce raw material for biodiesel, which is one of alternative energy sources.